Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom (2012)

From the rough-and-tumble streets of the Bronx to the glamorous Hollywood red carpets, Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom charts the extraordinary journey of Bernie Schwartz, the boy who would become Tony Curtis, one of the most magnetic movie stars of his generation. With a charisma that influenced icons like Elvis Presley and James Dean, Curtis's rise from humble beginnings to stardom is a tale of grit, glamour, and the unyielding pursuit of fame. The film unveils Curtis's life in a captivating narrative dotted with his blockbuster hits such as Trapeze, Spartacus, Sweet Smell of Success, The Boston Strangler, and Some Like It Hot. The man who was once one of the first teenage idols and one of the last authentic movie stars, Curtis's story is as engaging as the roles he played. Through intimate interviews with Tony's circle of family, friends, and co-stars - including luminaries like Hugh Hefner, Harry Belafonte, Debbie Reynolds, Mamie Van Doren, Piper Laurie, Theresa Russell, and Jill Curtis - filmmaker Ian Ayres weaves together a rich tapestry of Curtis's life. Exclusive footage and film clips provide a deeper understanding of the man behind the star, with Curtis's own candid revelations adding an extra layer of authenticity. Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom delves into the actor's complex persona, his struggles as a Jew in Hollywood, his tumultuous love life featuring a brief affair with Marilyn Monroe, and his failed marriages to actresses Janet Leigh and Christine Kaufman. Moreover, it celebrates his brave stance to shatter Hollywood's color barrier with The Defiant Ones, a role that garnered him an Oscar nomination. As the definitive chronicle of Tony Curtis's life, the film not only explores his six-decade-long career but also paints a vivid portrait of a man who was a sex symbol, a matinee idol, and above all, a formidable actor. Tony Curtis was more than just a movie star - he was the embodiment of the Hollywood dream.

Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom is a documentary movie featuring Hugh Hefner and directed by Ian Ayres.

Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom on Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube.